On 7 May 2021, the Sri Lanka Navy stated it had discovered an untouched live coral reef for the first time off the Eastern coastline of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Navy provided that the reef is situated five to 15 feet below the sea surface, spreading over 500 square metres in area, rich in biodiversity, and appears to be in excellent health, continuing to grow. 
According to the Sri Lanka Navy “this discovery has led to a new understanding of the geological diversity and biological wealth of Sri Lankan waters, which are already renowned for natural beauty”/
The discovery of untouched ecosystems such as these is incredibly important, particularly considering that at present overfishing has depleted key reef species and damaged coral habitats, not only on Sri Lankan coasts but all over the world. Rapid human population growth, increased demand, use of more efficient fishery technologies, and inadequate management and enforcement, has led to the depletion of key reef species and habitat damage in many locations, therefore discovering an untouched reef is an incredibly rare occurrence.
Ancient reefs have been in trouble for some time, from Australia to Hawaii. They have been succumbing to pollution, destructive fishing, and the effects of climate change, and there have been recent examples seen in countries like the Philippines, where the situation is particularly dire, with about 54% of the country’s coral reefs being badly damaged, and the State having to resort to grave lengths to protect reefs like Benham Bank, which is one of the Philippines’ last, best chances to protect old-growth coral reefs.
Commenting on the discovery, ecologist, marine biologist, and Blue Resources Trust Co-Founder Nishan Perera said that from the evidence made available so far courtesy of the Sri Lanka Navy, footage shows that the coral reef appears to be in relatively good health. However, he did point out that for a reef to be untouched, there are certain ecological conditions that have to be met.
While the Sri Lanka Navy has stated that this is a new discovery, a number of marine biologists we reached out to stated that in the past there was an occasion where such a statement was made with regards to a reef in Kankesanthurai, Jaffna – which was not in fact a new discovery at the time, and was a recorded reef that was known to ecologists prior to the announcement.
They also shared that it is highly unlikely that there still remains an untouched reef on the coasts of Sri Lanka; considering the extent of fishing activity, it is improbable that a reef has remained as such. Pointing out that there are certain ecological conditions to be met for it to be considered untouched, including trophy groups of organisms considering that certain predators should exist in the ecosystem, they noted that on Sri Lankan coasts, these groups of organisms no longer exist. While the marine biologists believe the announcement has been made with pure intent, they suggested that there may be some slight misinformation involved here.
They also shared that it could be said with relative confidence that those in the field have discovered all possible reefs on Sri Lankan coasts. They added that considering the possible disconnect between field discovery conducted by marine biologists and subsequent discoveries by other parties, it is expected that assumptions can be made with regards to remote placements of certain reefs.
However, regardless of the scepticism, they all collectively shared that the Sri Lanka Navy has been an invaluable asset in conservation and field study. They shared that the Navy’s involvement and assistance has been immeasurably useful, and that they are playing a major role in the conservation efforts in the island.
According to the Sri Lanka Navy “this discovery has led to a new understanding of the geological diversity and biological wealth of Sri Lankan waters, which are already renowned for natural beauty”/
The discovery of untouched ecosystems such as these is incredibly important, particularly considering that at present overfishing has depleted key reef species and damaged coral habitats, not only on Sri Lankan coasts but all over the world. Rapid human population growth, increased demand, use of more efficient fishery technologies, and inadequate management and enforcement, has led to the depletion of key reef species and habitat damage in many locations, therefore discovering an untouched reef is an incredibly rare occurrence.
Ancient reefs have been in trouble for some time, from Australia to Hawaii. They have been succumbing to pollution, destructive fishing, and the effects of climate change, and there have been recent examples seen in countries like the Philippines, where the situation is particularly dire, with about 54% of the country’s coral reefs being badly damaged, and the State having to resort to grave lengths to protect reefs like Benham Bank, which is one of the Philippines’ last, best chances to protect old-growth coral reefs.
Commenting on the discovery, ecologist, marine biologist, and Blue Resources Trust Co-Founder Nishan Perera said that from the evidence made available so far courtesy of the Sri Lanka Navy, footage shows that the coral reef appears to be in relatively good health. However, he did point out that for a reef to be untouched, there are certain ecological conditions that have to be met.
While the Sri Lanka Navy has stated that this is a new discovery, a number of marine biologists we reached out to stated that in the past there was an occasion where such a statement was made with regards to a reef in Kankesanthurai, Jaffna – which was not in fact a new discovery at the time, and was a recorded reef that was known to ecologists prior to the announcement.
They also shared that it is highly unlikely that there still remains an untouched reef on the coasts of Sri Lanka; considering the extent of fishing activity, it is improbable that a reef has remained as such. Pointing out that there are certain ecological conditions to be met for it to be considered untouched, including trophy groups of organisms considering that certain predators should exist in the ecosystem, they noted that on Sri Lankan coasts, these groups of organisms no longer exist. While the marine biologists believe the announcement has been made with pure intent, they suggested that there may be some slight misinformation involved here.
They also shared that it could be said with relative confidence that those in the field have discovered all possible reefs on Sri Lankan coasts. They added that considering the possible disconnect between field discovery conducted by marine biologists and subsequent discoveries by other parties, it is expected that assumptions can be made with regards to remote placements of certain reefs.
However, regardless of the scepticism, they all collectively shared that the Sri Lanka Navy has been an invaluable asset in conservation and field study. They shared that the Navy’s involvement and assistance has been immeasurably useful, and that they are playing a major role in the conservation efforts in the island.